Thomasville City Schools partnered with Brady Services for a design-build project aimed at improving HVAC and indoor air quality using federally-funded resources. The project involved an evaluation of HVAC needs across the district to develop a capital plan. Liberty Drive Elementary emerged as a priority due to its need for a comprehensive HVAC upgrade that aligned with the district’s budget.
Solution
The design-build team determined that the best way to meet the district’s goals of improving indoor air quality while limiting the impact on the school would be to convert the older section of the building from a two-pipe chiller/boiler system to a Trane water-source heat pump system. Eric Johannesen, the Executive Director of Operations for Thomasville City Schools, spoke in favor of design-build, emphasizing its advantages by stating, “Design-build is the way to go. It’s a one-stop shop and when you get in with an architect and a contractor separate, it just does not come together the way that you guys do with a design-build program…it just makes it cleaner for facilities people, especially in educational settings.” This system choice reused the existing infrastructure, matched the system type in the newer wing, and offered better energy efficiency and humidity control. The project also included new boilers, controls, and a kitchen rooftop unit.
Implementation
With the installation of Trane water-source heat pumps at Liberty Drive Elementary, a redundant chiller was identified and repurposed for T. Austin Finch Auditorium, another key facility in Thomasville. Brady Services replaced the outdated chiller and cooling tower at the auditorium with the unit from Liberty Drive Elementary, ensuring uninterrupted operations at both locations. The transition coincided with the failure of the existing chiller at T. Austin Finch Auditorium, showcasing the project’s timely execution.
The project was executed with a budget of $4.9 million |
Brady completed the project ahead of schedule and within the allocated budget |
Impact
The proactive approach taken by Liberty Drive Elementary staff allowed for phased construction work during the summer, ensuring minimal disruption to school activities. Despite the initial plan for construction to extend into the fall, the project was completed ahead of schedule, enabling a seamless transition for students at the start of the school year. The upgraded HVAC systems not only enhanced indoor comfort and air quality but also contributed to long-term energy savings and sustainability goals.